Guardians of the past face uncertain future

March 09, 2009 07:35 am

— NORTHUMBERLAND —Proposed funding cuts to the state Historical and Museum Commission have left the Joseph Priestley House museum with an uncertain future.
To stave off a budget deficit, Gov. Ed Rendell has proposed a 20 percent cut in the commission’s funding, putting the future of many smaller, state-supported museums in jeopardy.
“Museums and nonprofits are at an unprecedented financial crossroads,” said Andrea Bashore, administrator for the Priestley House, “and the outcome of the situation, in my opinion, is largely unknown.”
The Priestley House reopened for the season Sunday, marking the occasion with the annual Commonwealth Charter Day, an event supported statewide by the museum commission. All 23 of the state-funded historic sites and museums held events to celebrate charter day, so named for the charter King Charles gave to William Penn, granting Penn ownership of the land that would later become Pennsylvania.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” Bashore said. “If William Penn didn’t get the charter, we wouldn’t have Pennsylvania.”
Though she declined to specifically comment on the potential funding cuts, Bashore said supporting historical sites such as the Priestley House — and understanding the history they represent — is still important even in the midst of the country’s economic crisis.
“As a historian, a familiarity with our past helps us to make connections with new experiences that might come into plan in the modern world,” she said. “Without our past, and a respect for our past, and an enjoyment of our past, I don’t think that we would be able to appreciate the modern world.”
Stephanie Monroig, of Selinsgrove, echoed Bashore’s sentiments.
“When I was young, (history) always sparked an interest in me and I want to share that with the kids,” said Monroig, her young son, Julian, sitting next to her.
She went on to say that supporting institutions like the Priestley House is difficult “because in these times, it’s hard to donate ... But to show support is important, and if you can’t give a lot, give whatever you can.”
Bashore said the museum receives money from the public, not to mention the 30 volunteers who donate their time, without whom events like Charter Day would be impossible.
But their main source of funding, she said, is still the state.
“We are continuing operations at the Priestley House, and we will do so into the future,” Bashore said. “As long as we’re able.”
For more information, visit www.josephpriestleyhouse.org.
-- E-mail comments to rscott@dailyitem.com.

Photos

Carlie Shaffer, left, 8, of Middleburg, and her cousin Emma Shaffer, 6, of Danville, try to catch a glimpse of Beverly Conrad?s rattlesnake tail in her fiddle during Commonwealth Charter Day at the Joseph Priestley House in Northumberland Sunday afternoon.

John Moyer, 9, of Liverpool, plays with toys from the late 1700s during Commonwealth Charter Day at the Joseph Priestly House in Northumberland Sunday afternoon.